On October 23, the inaugural World’s Most Beautiful Bays Photography Exhibition opened in the West Coast New Area of Qingdao, Shandong Province. As a key event of the 2024 Marine Cooperation and Development Forum, the exhibition collected over 2,000 works from more than 40 photographers across 30 countries and regions, ultimately showcasing 218 pieces. The aim is to highlight the breathtaking beauty of the world’s bays through photography while promoting the idea of harmony between people and the sea, and fostering a peaceful, prosperous, and beautiful marine environment.

The exhibition is divided into three sections: “Prologue: Beauty in Harmony,” “Global Suite: Each Beauty is Unique,” and “Qingdao Suite: Beauty in Wholeness.” Each part reflects the artistic creations of photographers, the vibrant diversity of the world’s most beautiful bays, and the unique charm of Qingdao’s bay areas.

At the opening ceremony, Cui Zuo, Vice Chairman of the Qingdao Municipal Political Consultative Conference and Chairman of the Qingdao Federation of Industry and Commerce, remarked that Qingdao, built by the sea and thriving due to its bays, is one of the birthplaces of China’s marine culture. He emphasized that this exhibition serves as a bridge for cultural exchanges between Qingdao and other beautiful bay cities around the world, hoping it encourages collaborative efforts to build a community with a shared marine destiny.

Bruno Boda, founder and president of the World’s Most Beautiful Bays organization, addressed the audience, stating that photographers act as “envoys of beauty,” tasked with raising awareness and appreciation for natural heritage. He highlighted the pressing issue of ocean conservation, positing that this exhibition brings together the beauty of the sea and aims to effectively awaken the public’s consciousness regarding ocean protection.

Prior to the exhibition, a professional review committee awarded one Best Organization Award, seven Special Contribution Awards, and one Outstanding Contribution Award, which were presented during the opening ceremony.

The theme of this year’s exhibition is “Harmonious Coexistence, Beauty in Shared Experiences.” It is guided by the Qingdao Marine Development Bureau and the Qingdao Federation of Industry and Commerce, organized by the Qingdao West Coast New Area Management Committee, the World’s Most Beautiful Bays organization, and the “Ocean Decade” International Cooperation Center, with support from the Qingdao Engineering Consulting Association and the Qingdao West Coast Marine Development Bureau. The exhibition will run until October 25.

Notably, the ocean is a remarkable natural asset for Qingdao, which boasts a lengthy coastal line of 905.2 kilometers, dotted with 49 bays. Over the years, efforts have focused on addressing the ecological conditions and development goals of different bays through targeted pollution control, ecological restoration, and enhancements to coastal spaces, all aimed at improving the quality of the marine environment under the “Beautiful Bays” initiative.